MV Bluenose
MV Bluenose was a Canadian passenger and motor vehicle ferry operated by Canadian National Railways and later CN Marine from 1955 to 1982. She sailed between Bar Harbor, Maine and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. The vessel was named after the famed Grand Banks fishing and racing schooner Bluenose.
Construction
In 1949, the Canadian Maritime Commission began to explore the possibility of investing in the construction of a ferry to connect the port of Yarmouth with a port in Maine. This followed a multi-year lobbying campaign of the federal government conducted by citizens and local political leaders in southwestern Nova Scotia advocating a ferry service to replace steamship connections that were not resumed following the conclusion of the Second World War. The vessel was built by Davie Shipbuilding in Lauzon, Quebec, Canada. Building commenced with the laying of the keel in July 1954. MV Bluenose was launched on 25 May 1955. The ship was christened by its patron Jeanne St. Laurent, wife of Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent, whose government commissioned her construction. Mrs. St. Laurent reportedly christened the ship by saying "I name this ship Bluenose and may God protect all who sail in her."Statistics and Livery
Bluenose measured in length, had a beam of and draught of. She measured. She had the capacity to carry up to 615 passengers. The crew numbered about 96. She could also carry up to 150 automobiles and 18 trucks. Bluenose was propelled by 6 Fairbanks-Morse Fairbanks Morse [38 8-1/8 diesel engine|38 8-1/8 diesel engines] which delivered to two propellers. Her service speed was about. Automobiles and trucks were onloaded and offloaded through four large hatches, two on either side of the ship. On the promenade deck, Bluenose had an observation lounge forward and a cafeteria aft. Single berth cabins could accommodate up to 30 passengers.Bluenose had a blue hull and white superstructure. Her funnel was emblazoned with several different designs, initially with red, white and blue stripes, at one point red with a white CN logo, at other points blue with a white CN logo, and finally with a blue funnel with white CN Marine logo.
Service
For her entire career as a ferry, Bluenose ran between Bar Harbor, Maine and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Operations commenced in 1956. Her last run occurred on 16 October 1982. She provided remarkably reliable performance throughout her 26 years of service. Those who took this ferry across the Gulf of Maine saved a driving distance of approximately. Daily service occurred over the warmer months. Tri-weekly service was offered during other periods, although, during the late 1970s and early 1980s, service was discontinued over the winter months.In 1982, Bluenose was replaced by a newer vessel, the 1973-built List of [Stena Line vessels|MS Stena Jutlandica], which was renamed MV Bluenose before entering service. This second MV Bluenose was retired from service in October 1997.